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Once the dog stops howling I notice the ants. They’re climbing up my legs, across my stomach and into the styrofoam container holding my burrito. I would later inadvertently transport at least a dozen of the busy creatures into my apartment. But in that moment, reclining on a hill of brown, scratchy grass, the sun trust-falling slowly backwards into the arms of the far side of earth as Aaron Read and I pour various hot sauces onto our dinners—I don’t mind.

“Jeselnik seems aware of satire’s limits... The pleasure [of his comedy] is as fun and pointless as a box of buttered popcorn, a bad movie, a freezing cold shower. And maybe that’s okay. At his recent Vancouver show, the crowd loved it; Jeselnik roasted us, we sizzled, and it was fun.”

Here's the second of our two JFL NorthWest interviews; this time Sasheer Zamata is in the hot seat. Read on, and get excited about all the amazing comedy that's soon to grace Vancouver's stage! Lots to look forward to!

As a warm up for this year's JFL NorthWest, Vancouver's Comedy Festival, we've prepared interviews with two of the fest's headliners. First up! Comedy whiz Beth Stelling. Stay tuned for more, very soon!

“Her voice, and her perspective, have served her well. From humble beginnings – her first time doing stand up was a response to a ‘do something that scares you’ challenge – to today, on the cusp of finalizing her first comedy album, she has always worked to remain true to herself. Though, while a common misconception about comedians, it doesn’t mean that she’s exactly how she appears on stage, in her everyday life.”

Wanda Sykes is a brilliant story teller. She takes her time getting to the punchline without exhausting her waiting audience. The deliveries are always slow, but never boring, and she powerfully employs her body to tell jokes.

With a Master’s Degree in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, Hari Kondabolu clearly had his options open as a young adult; it would be interesting to know what compelled him to choose stand-up comedy over academia. I like to think that he looked at the employment forecasts for both, saw that they were equally dim, and chose the career that would allow him to put his face on a T-shirt.

Kristine Sostar McLellan checked out Janeane Garofalo's JFL NorthWest show at the Rio Theatre on February 24, 2016. The verdict? It’s clear there's something special about the stand-up comedian; her strength on stage, and her connection with her fans, stems from her being exactly who she is.

Trevor Noah’s performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on February 19 had the audience hurting from all the laughing and smiling. Find out what South Africa's comedy king had to say about Vancouverites in this neat little review by Sagal Kahin.

It’s February; it’s cold, dark, and let’s face it, more than a little depressing. Luckily, it’s also time for the city’s first ever JFL NorthWest, a new comedy festival presented by NorthWest Comedy Fest and Just For Laughs from February 18 to 27.

When I walked into the Cultch, the greeter immediately warned that the show would be between 100-120 minutes without intermission. I beelined for the bathroom, then to the bar. Not only do they serve beer (and wine) at the Cultch, but they’ll even let you bring it to your seat inside the theatre. This evening was off to a great start.

SAD Mag

SAD Mag is an independent Vancouver publication featuring stories, art, and design. Founded in 2009, we publish the best of contemporary and emerging artists with a focus on inclusivity of voices and views, exceptional design, and film photography.